[Z06] Popin the top
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 373
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Popin the top
Anyone have any ideas on how this would affect the chassis, and any possible flex? I know the Z06 is designed for light weight and strength, but I don't plan on racing it. I am considering this mod when my budget allows it. It's the main thing I miss from my coupe I sold late last year. I LOVE the look of the roofline on the FRC/Z06 C5's but would also like the removable top for the cruisin days. This top uses all the factory coupe hardware and latches, and the top stores in the trunk in a similiar fashion to the coupe. I would only go to a reputable shop like this one if I take the plunge.
Some good pics in the photo gallery at the top of the link page.
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/DEV/g4_i6.html
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/DEV/g4_i2.html
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/DEV/g6_i3.html
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/DEV/g6_i6.html
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/DEV/tuning4.html
.
Some good pics in the photo gallery at the top of the link page.
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/DEV/g4_i6.html
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/DEV/g4_i2.html
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/DEV/g6_i3.html
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/DEV/g6_i6.html
http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/DEV/tuning4.html
.
Last edited by '04 Z06 Rocket; Mar 14, 2006 at 01:49 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 7,121
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From: Vilano Beach FL
Howdy!
It stores right in the trunk! John includes custom storage brackets designed for a FRC.
I've seriously considered this - JC also sells this as a "kit" if you have a local bodyshop that can handle it. The price probably works out about the same, but it simplifies the logistics.
It stores right in the trunk! John includes custom storage brackets designed for a FRC.
I've seriously considered this - JC also sells this as a "kit" if you have a local bodyshop that can handle it. The price probably works out about the same, but it simplifies the logistics.
Originally Posted by C5 Z16
Agree roof conversion is awsome but expensive. Where do you store the roof when it is off??
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,311
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From: Near Philly PA
If I'm not mistaken (that's a big "IF"!), the C5 was designed as a convertible, with the added regidity that a convertible requires -- and then the coupe and hardtop just made the car that much more rigid. So, whereas the car wouldn't be AS rigid with a section of the roof cut out, I'd imagine it would still be relatively "rigid" by most standards.
Hopefully someone else will chime in here.
-Kirk
Hopefully someone else will chime in here.
-Kirk
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,936
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From: Las Vegas NV
The Z06 has both cross members in the chasis. By this I mean the over-head loop from the coupe, and the cross-beam located at the front of the trunk under the rear window. These are what make the chasis more rigid. As long as they are both left in tact you should be fine.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
I've been drooling over the targa conversion too. I had a mustang Cobra vert for 5 years and am itching for open air again. I thought about a C6, but I love my car and the originality of it being an '01 Z06 and all that goes along with that.
Plus I have 55k on it and it's been used many many times on track... not exactly what the current vette buyer is looking for.
Plus I have 55k on it and it's been used many many times on track... not exactly what the current vette buyer is looking for.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 7,121
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From: Vilano Beach FL
Cobra, jeez, I hear ya brother about the vert...
I'm also sort of contemplating a change to a C6, either a Coupe or Vert, Z51/6-Speed cause I'm jonzin for the no top ride! The wifey had a Z3 and 330Ci back-to-back which was fun, my Supra was a Targa, my '99 Coupe (targa).
Living on the beach in Florida it's *tough* not to have that as an option.
The Caravaggio conversion + the HID's I want is about the price difference on my car vs. a low miles '05 Coupe, which would have OEM HID's and an OEM targa, plus jazzy new stuff like NAV. Of course a Vert is this same equation is like $15K difference, hmmm...
What has really fired me up is the option for doing the Z06 fenders (either OEM or Caravaggio). A H/C LS2, widebody, Vert or Coupe would be pretty sweet.
DT
I'm also sort of contemplating a change to a C6, either a Coupe or Vert, Z51/6-Speed cause I'm jonzin for the no top ride! The wifey had a Z3 and 330Ci back-to-back which was fun, my Supra was a Targa, my '99 Coupe (targa).
Living on the beach in Florida it's *tough* not to have that as an option.
The Caravaggio conversion + the HID's I want is about the price difference on my car vs. a low miles '05 Coupe, which would have OEM HID's and an OEM targa, plus jazzy new stuff like NAV. Of course a Vert is this same equation is like $15K difference, hmmm...
What has really fired me up is the option for doing the Z06 fenders (either OEM or Caravaggio). A H/C LS2, widebody, Vert or Coupe would be pretty sweet.
DT
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 373
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Originally Posted by Cobra4B
I've been drooling over the targa conversion too. I had a mustang Cobra vert for 5 years and am itching for open air again. I thought about a C6, but I love my car and the originality of it being an '01 Z06 and all that goes along with that.
Plus I have 55k on it and it's been used many many times on track... not exactly what the current vette buyer is looking for.
Plus I have 55k on it and it's been used many many times on track... not exactly what the current vette buyer is looking for.
Yea nothing like takin the top off for a cruise when its warm out. I would imagine the loops and crossbeams mentioned by Twil1ght would still be intact. The overhead loop looks similiar if not identical to a coupe roofline after its cut in the pics.
I'll keep savin my pennies, I think I will go for the mod someday!
_
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 7,121
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From: Vilano Beach FL
Hey!
That's a total turnkey price: drop off car, pick it up done! You have to figure Caravaggio's paint and body is super high quality, high dollar.
I think the kit/parts only is like $3800 which is a complete oem targa roof, a complete aftermarket rear roof/glass and all the fasteners, trim, etc.
John has mentioned that Tim Burke in Orlando could easily handle this and knows all the Z06 roof removal BS involved. Tim's shop is one of the best around (he painted my BPP hood and SW rear fascia).
Yeah, I've done a little research into this
DT
That's a total turnkey price: drop off car, pick it up done! You have to figure Caravaggio's paint and body is super high quality, high dollar.
I think the kit/parts only is like $3800 which is a complete oem targa roof, a complete aftermarket rear roof/glass and all the fasteners, trim, etc.
John has mentioned that Tim Burke in Orlando could easily handle this and knows all the Z06 roof removal BS involved. Tim's shop is one of the best around (he painted my BPP hood and SW rear fascia).
Yeah, I've done a little research into this
DT
Originally Posted by AustinL911
This might be a dumb question, but, does the $6,495 price INCLUDE the parts for the conversion? or is that the labor cost only?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 373
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Originally Posted by DT
Hey!
That's a total turnkey price: drop off car, pick it up done! You have to figure Caravaggio's paint and body is super high quality, high dollar.
I think the kit/parts only is like $3800 which is a complete oem targa roof, a complete aftermarket rear roof/glass and all the fasteners, trim, etc.
John has mentioned that Tim Burke in Orlando could easily handle this and knows all the Z06 roof removal BS involved. Tim's shop is one of the best around (he painted my BPP hood and SW rear fascia).
Yeah, I've done a little research into this
DT
That's a total turnkey price: drop off car, pick it up done! You have to figure Caravaggio's paint and body is super high quality, high dollar.
I think the kit/parts only is like $3800 which is a complete oem targa roof, a complete aftermarket rear roof/glass and all the fasteners, trim, etc.
John has mentioned that Tim Burke in Orlando could easily handle this and knows all the Z06 roof removal BS involved. Tim's shop is one of the best around (he painted my BPP hood and SW rear fascia).
Yeah, I've done a little research into this
DT
So Carvaggio said that Burke Corvettes is a recomended "sattelite" installer
for those of us who think the Carvaggio shop is a bit far?I've seen his Z06 Convertible, but not any Z06 Targa's.
Last edited by '04 Z06 Rocket; Mar 14, 2006 at 10:12 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 7,121
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From: Vilano Beach FL
Yeah, I was asking about the conversion, and if it could be bought as a kit, got to chatting about paint shops, and I mentioned I had a good shop in Orlando. He asked if it was Burkes, said he had discussed and helped with Caravaggio installs and knew Tim pretty well. He felt Burke was very qualified.
Though it's funny, I don't know if Burke had actually done one yet!
I will definitely use Burke for any future work for sure.
Though it's funny, I don't know if Burke had actually done one yet!
I will definitely use Burke for any future work for sure.
Originally Posted by '04 Z06 Rocket
So Carvaggio said that Burke Corvettes is a recomended "sattelite" installer for those of us who think the Carvaggio shop is a bit far?
I've seen his Z06 Convertible, but not any Z06 Targa's.
for those of us who think the Carvaggio shop is a bit far?I've seen his Z06 Convertible, but not any Z06 Targa's.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
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From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
^ So they don't cut your existing roof to fit the oem targa panel? They use a new rear piece w/ glass? No way... that oem rear glass is like $1700 If I remember correctly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 7,121
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From: Vilano Beach FL
Yep! Though I suppose it's possible they may not include the glass and that is moved over from the factory roof.
I've always wondered if a good shop could cut the roof out - more labor but much less in parts. Then just score a used OEM roof panel. I would think all the rubber seals and trim could be bought from GM.
I understand on a Z06 the brackets are present for the roof latches and connectors.
Another thought I had - I always like to determine what costs can be offset by selling the old parts - if the stock roof is removed intact, that has a pretty decent "street value". I've seen several people asking about them from wrecked vehicles (I think they use them to make a Vert hardtop)
DT
I've always wondered if a good shop could cut the roof out - more labor but much less in parts. Then just score a used OEM roof panel. I would think all the rubber seals and trim could be bought from GM.
I understand on a Z06 the brackets are present for the roof latches and connectors.
Another thought I had - I always like to determine what costs can be offset by selling the old parts - if the stock roof is removed intact, that has a pretty decent "street value". I've seen several people asking about them from wrecked vehicles (I think they use them to make a Vert hardtop)
DT
Originally Posted by Cobra4B
^ So they don't cut your existing roof to fit the oem targa panel? They use a new rear piece w/ glass? No way... that oem rear glass is like $1700 If I remember correctly.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 552
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From: Meadows Place Texas
I read somewhere that the fixed roof doesn't really add to the stiffness of the chassis. I could be wrong, and I frequently am. Even so, I remember the article saying the roof was, for the most part, just glued into place. According to what I remember, you can remove the roof, then use pretty much oem convertible parts to do the conversion to a Z06 convertible.
It looks way cool, but it does add a lot of weight, meaning, your performance will suffer a significant setback.
dave
It looks way cool, but it does add a lot of weight, meaning, your performance will suffer a significant setback.
dave
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
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From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
^ Yes the Z06 roof is bolted and glued on... it can be removed. The added stiffness is because the car has the coupe style roll bar and teh convertible brace underneath the rear window.
Adding a targa roof conversion will not affect stifness or weight. I want a clear roof!
Adding a targa roof conversion will not affect stifness or weight. I want a clear roof!